Glory to God!
Scripture Reading — Luke 2:1-20
To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
—Philippians 4:20
A young married couple played Mary and Joseph in the church’s Christmas program. The young woman had just recently given birth to a son. On cue they walked on stage, and she placed her infant in a manger there. It was a precious scene as these parents, role-playing Mary and Joseph, lovingly looked at their child in the manger.
I tried to imagine what it was like at the first Christmas, when the real Mary placed the newborn Jesus in a manger. And as we sang “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” I thought about the announcement of this special birth. It wasn’t on a church stage; it came to shepherds in the fields outside Bethlehem. “I bring you good news that will cause great joy… Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
The excitement was not limited to the audience in one church; the angelic choir of heaven sang, “Glory to God in the highest heaven …” Mary pondered and treasured the event. The shepherds came and went, glorifying and praising God. And all who heard the shepherds’ news were filled with awe.
May we also be filled with awe and treasure in our hearts, and may we sing glory to God for the world-changing birth of Jesus!
With the angels and shepherds we worship you, precious Savior. We treasure you in our hearts. May all that we do and say bring glory to your name. Amen.
About the author — Calvin Aardsma
Calvin Aardsma has been a pastor for more than thirty years. He has served churches in Indiana, Oregon, and the Chicago area. Currently, he is a pastor of Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Lansing, Illinois. He also serves on the board of the Ugandan Orphanage Relief Fund. Cal and his wife, Sandy, have four children and five grandchildren.
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